Maresca: Preparations Remain The Same
Leeds United present the next test of the Foxes’ credentials, facing the side sat third in the division, on an upward curve under Daniel Farke and aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League.
Ahead of the Friday night encounter, an 8pm GMT kick-off on Filbert Way, Maresca sat down with journalists inside the King Power Centre at LCFC Training Ground…
The plan of attack
Playing down the significance of this particular encounter, he cited the need to approach this fixture no differently to the ones that have come before, with Leicester’s winning 13 of 14 league matches to date, one victory away from equalling an all-time second-tier record. The Foxes defeated Queens Park Rangers 2-1 last time out.
“If you remember, I said before QPR, it is three points and Leeds is three points,” City’s Manager said. “For us, tomorrow is just one more game that we are going to try and do our best in and use our weapons to prepare in the way we want to play, but nothing more than that.
“We will prepare for tomorrow’s game in the way that we want to play. Our preparation will be the same as the previous one. We’re going to try to have a plan to see how we need to attack, to see how we need to defend when they want to attack us, and see how we can avoid transition.
“At the end, it’s the same schedule that we use every game. It’s a special night for sure for the fans; for us it’s a special night because it’s a game. I don’t see any difference from the Sunderland game, for instance. We going to prepare for the game in the best way we can as we always try to win the game.
“We’re happy that the fans can enjoy the moment. We are happy and we appreciate it, but we are in November so hopefully we can always repeat the same until January, February, with the same amount of points and distance, but we know there is a long way to go.”
Leeds’ threats
While City’s style of play will not waver, Maresca believes careful considerations must be made to avoid being exploited by the Yorkshire side’s threats, particularly in attack, with several in-form players set to arrive at King Power Stadium on Friday.
“We know that they are good in transition,” the 43-year-old analysed. “I don’t think they are only good in transition. In general, they are a very good team. With [Georginio] Rutter, [Joël] Piroe, [Crysencio] Summerville, [Daniel] James, [Wilfried] Gnonto, they are very quick and very good in transition.
“We need to be careful. More than ever, it’s a game where we need to give many passes before we attack. Because if we attack quick, they are going to attack as quick and that’s not the game we are looking for.”
Praise for his players
A gap in the relentless Championship schedule allowed a short period of rest for the squad, something Maresca was keen to provide, especially for those that have returned from long-term injuries.
The Italian explained: “We gave them two days off after QPR because the amount of games has been incredible. They had Sunday and Monday off and started the week on Tuesday, with time to prepare for tomorrow’s game. Now they adapt themselves because they see that the team is working well to get results.
“It’s very important, not only outside the pitch, Conor [Coady] is helping us inside the pitch. In the last game he played very well, on the right side, not in the central position, because Jannik [Vestergaard] played there.
“He adapted very well. He is making an effort. We really appreciate Conor outside the pitch but especially inside the pitch because he is our player and we need to use him as a player.
“JJ (James Justin) is adapting very well. We know that when he’s playing on the left side it’s not ideal for him because most of the time he has to build with his left foot, but he can do it. He is making an effort. I came here in June for the first time and while the rest of the players were on holiday, JJ was out running around the pitch. This shows how professional he is.”